Sustainability in Business Conference

Keynote Speakers

Ben Garthwaite
CEO at Fors Marsh

Topic: Values-Driven Leadership: The Power of Conscious Capitalism in Action

Ben Garthwaite serves as chief executive officer of Fors Marsh and guides the company’s business growth and diversification. Garthwaite cultivates a purpose-driven culture focused on using business as a force for good, with the belief that businesses must share responsibility for strengthening the systems in which we operate. He is committed to evolving company policies and practices so that each of Fors Marsh’s key stakeholder groups—community, client, employee, and planet—are positively impacted. Under his leadership, Fors Marsh has earned B Corporation Certification, has become a Just® employer, and received Top Workplace USA, the Northern Virginia Family Service CARE, and Inc. 5000 Hall of Fame awards, to name a few. Throughout his tenure, Fors Marsh has grown from 20 employees to more than 400 employees. 

Steven Rochlin
CEO and Founder at IMPACT ROI

Topic: Leading with Purpose: Unlocking the Path to Sustainable Success

Steve Rochlin is the founder and CEO of IMPACT ROI, LLC, which helps organizations achieve superior social, environmental, and financial performance. With over 25 years of experience in sustainability, ESG, corporate responsibility, DEI, and social impact, Rochlin has advised leading companies across various sectors. He is the lead author of the Project ROI research series and co-authored two books on corporate citizenship. Rochlin holds an MPP from Harvard and an A.B. from Brown. He has held senior roles at IO Sustainability, AccountAbility, and the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship.

Jennifer Jenkins
Chief Science Officer at Rubicon Carbon

Topic: The Race to Net Zero: How Leading Companies are Setting and Meeting Their Targets

Jennifer Jenkins, Ph.D., is Chief Science Officer at Rubicon Carbon, leading the development and approval of carbon offset methodologies and new approaches to ensure quality and reliability. In 2007, she was part of the IPCC team of scientists that won the Nobel Peace Prize for their work on climate, along with former Vice President Al Gore. She led the work that culminated in the "Jenkins Equations," the widely accepted method for estimating tree biomass from diameter in the U.S. She has a technical background in carbon cycling and ecosystem science and over 25 years of experience across government, academia and the private sector. She holds degrees from the University of New Hampshire, the University of Maryland, Yale University, and Dartmouth College.

Michael Levine
Vice President, Sustainability, Chief Sustainability Officer and Managing Counsel at Under Armour 

Topic: Sustainability Strategy: The Importance of Forward-Thinking in Corporate Success

Michael Levine is Vice President, and Chief Sustainability Officer for Under Armour. In this role, he leads the company’s global sustainability strategy, designed to holistically address its environmental and social impact across three pillars: Products; Team; and Home Field. Since 2016, he has overseen the development and execution of UA’s global value chain and enterprise-wide sustainability program including its vision, strategy and business integration, leading corporate initiatives spanning environmental impact; product circularity; corporate social responsibility; stakeholder engagement and other topics. An attorney who began his legal career in public service, he has headed several law firms’ sustainability, ESG and human rights practices and has served on the Fair Labor Association's Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2017.

Speakers

Maggie Troope Biscarr
Independent Consultant

Panel A: Green Marketing

Maggie Troope Biscarr is an independent consultant specializing in shared value solutions in food, health, and sustainability, with a focus on food as medicine. She is part of The Nourish Movement core team, a strategist with Clareo’s Food Practice Area, and leads the GLP-1 Advisory Group for Georgetown Center for Impact’s Portion Balance Coalition. Maggie has extensive experience in developing cross-sector partnerships and innovative market-based programs. Previously, she directed global partnership strategy at PepsiCo and led AARP Foundation’s SNAP and food as medicine portfolios. She serves on the boards of HERO and DC Central Kitchen. Biscarr holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mercer University and a master’s in social work from the University of Georgia and is based in Washington, D.C.

Krisztina Christmon
Co-founder and CEO at Repurpose Farm Plastic, Inc.

Panel A: Innovation in Sustainability

Krisztina Christmon, PhD, is the co-founder and CEO of Repurpose Farm Plastic, Inc., a company focused on transforming agricultural plastic waste into recyclable materials. The company has developed a technology to clean agricultural plastic waste, making it recyclable and supporting a circular economy. With a background in agricultural engineering and ecology, Christmon combines her scientific expertise with an entrepreneurial spirit to drive change in the agricultural sector. At Repurpose Farm Plastic, she works closely with farmers, industry, and government stakeholders to implement sustainable waste management solutions and promote environmental stewardship in agriculture.

Larry Davis
Lead Consultant at Green Mechanics Benefits LLC

Panel A: Innovation in Sustainability

Larry Davis is the lead consultant at Green Mechanics Benefits, a company he founded in 2019 specializing in nature-based eco-technologies. With a background in Ecological Technology Design and Entrepreneurship, Larry focuses on ecosystem restoration and environmental stewardship. Prior to Green Mechanics, he managed green infrastructure projects in D.C. and Southern Maryland and led community engagement initiatives across the Mid-Atlantic, Philippines, Bahamas, and Brazil. He also mentors African entrepreneurs through Roots Africa, promoting sustainable farming solutions. Green Mechanics offers ecological design, stormwater management, and sustainability consulting.

Dave Feldman
Executive Director at Bethesda Green

Panel A: Founding a Social Enterprise

Dave Feldman is a social entrepreneur and Executive Director of Bethesda Green, a nationally recognized community hub and green business incubator promoting sustainability in the DMV area. He and his wife, Dara, co-founded Virtues Matter, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing character through the Virtues Cards App. Feldman co-founded several mission-driven ventures and was the founding Director of Green America’s Center for Sustainability Solutions, which developed sustainable supply chains. He previously served as Consul for UK Trade & Investment at the British Embassy. Feldman holds an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland.

C’pher Gresham
Co-Founder of GridVolve

Panel A: Innovation in Sustainability

C’pher Gresham is an accomplished entrepreneur, leader, and technologist dedicated to driving global impact through innovation. Currently, he is a co-founder of GridVolve, a platform focused on accelerating the transformation of the electric grid industry. As the former CEO of SEED SPOT and global leader of AWS Activate: Founders, he has established a reputation for fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. Gresham also co-founded Swillings Coffee, a sustainable international coffee company (exited), and Front Row, a blockchain NFT marketplace for high-regulatory industries. Gresham has worked internationally and serves as a mentor at George Washington University, where he earned a B.A. He also holds an MBA Summa Cum Laude from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, specializing in early-stage venture financing.

Michael Kennedy
Founder and CEO of NRGcoop

Panel A: Innovation in Sustainability

Mike Kennedy is the Founder and CEO of NRGcoop, a major provider of sustainability measures (e.g. Solar PV, Solar Storage Microgrids, HVAC/CHP, LED Lighting, Benchmarking, Stormwater Management, Lower Utility Rates, etc.) that provide Commercial and Multifamily customers with substantial savings on their Operating Expenses (OPEX). His background is in Real Estate Development and Construction where he managed over $300M of projects over a 40-year career before starting NRGcoop.

Amna Kirmani
Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Marketing at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland

Panel A: Green Marketing (Moderator)

Amna Kirmani is the Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Marketing at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. Her research interests include morality, persuasion knowledge, online communication, and branding. Her work has been published in several journals, including the Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Marketing, and Journal of Consumer Psychology. Her papers have won the Paul Green Award in the Journal of Marketing Research, the Maynard Award in the Journal of Marketing, and the Best Paper Award in the Journal of Advertising. She has served as co-editor of the Journal of Consumer Research and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Consumer Psychology.

Alphonse I. Kouagou
Founder and CEO at IBI Finance Ventures

Panel B: NGO Development, Private Public Partnerships

Alphonse Ibi Kouagou is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in development finance across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia. He spent 22 years with the World Bank Group, including roles as executive director and in the IFC, where he specialized in corporate and project finance, particularly in infrastructure, venture capital, and private equity. Kouagou excels in building strategic relationships with private sector clients and government officials in emerging markets. He currently leads Ibi International Finance Ventures, providing investment advisory services with a focus on ESG and supporting startups in securing risk capital. He holds an MBA in finance and entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland and is a USA Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Dr. Subramanya Kusnur
Founder Chairman and CEO at AquaKraft Ventures

Panel A: Innovation in Sustainability

Dr. Subramanya Kusnur is a renowned Sustainability & Impact Leader, advocating for clean drinking water and safe sanitation. He is the founder chairman and CEO of AquaKraft Group Ventures, a social enterprise focused on innovative solutions in sanitation, clean water, health, and hygiene across India. Since founding AquaKraft in 2010, Kusnur has traveled to over 9,000 villages, championing the “Right to Water” for all citizens. He pioneered AqVerium, the world’s first Digital Water Bank, and was recognized as the “New Water Man of India” by Sustainability Next. Recently, he was honored by President Joseph R. Biden for his commitment to sustainability. Kusnur holds several key positions, including Treasurer of the UN Global Compact Network, Consultant to Sri Lanka's Ministry of Water Supply, Innovation Evangelist at IIT Bombay, and Co-Chairman of the US India SME Council.

Evan Lutz
CEO & Founder at Hungry Harvest

Panel A: Founding a Social Enterprise

Evan Lutz is a 27-year-old social entrepreneur from Baltimore, Maryland who is passionate about food justice, entrepreneurship, and the Baltimore Ravens. He’s a frequent guest on NPR, the Washington Post, and Baltimore News stations. He’s been recognized in Forbes 30 under 30 in the social entrepreneurship category, Baltimore’s 40 under 40, and Montgomery County Emerging Business of the Year Award, previously won by Honest Tea, Sweet Green, and Comcast. He was also featured on ABC’s Shark Tank, where he made a deal with Robert Herjavec.

Lisa Manley
Sustainability Leader

Panel B: Humanitarian Rights & Climate Justice

Lisa Manley has over 25 years of experience in sustainable business strategy, communications, and stakeholder engagement, recognized as a leader in the field. She has worked in-house at Mars and The Coca-Cola Company, as well as consulted for numerous Fortune 100 companies, focusing on integrating social and environmental sustainability into business strategy. Her work has shaped initiatives in climate action, water stewardship, sustainable packaging, and diversity & inclusion. Manley holds degrees from the University of Virginia and serves on the boards of SMYAL and The Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Sophia Maroon
Founder and CEO at Dress It Up Dressing

Panel A: Green Marketing

Sophia Maroon began her second career as a food entrepreneur in 2012, inspired by a family recipe for salad dressing. Starting as a small neighborhood operation, her business, Dress It Up Dressing, quickly expanded and is now available at retailers nationwide. Known for its clean-label, gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan products, Dress It Up has won prestigious industry awards and is recognized for its social mission, including partnerships with DC Public Schools and World Central Kitchen. Maroon, a certified B-Corp owner and proud Woman-Owned business leader, enjoys hiking, camping, and experimenting in the kitchen with her three children.

Bidjan Nashat
Co-Founder of PotentialU

Panel B: NGO Development, Private Public Partnerships

Bidjan Nashat is co-founder of PotentialU, an app that inspires frontline leaders by giving them simple and personalized development advice in real-time. Previously, he served as CEO of Atlas Corps, a social enterprise committed to diverse talent and leadership development. He was also a senior executive team member at Save the Children International. As program and advocacy director at Save the Children Germany from 2013-2018, he led its refugee response in 2015-16. He also worked at the World Bank and was part of the team that started Teach for America in Germany. Bidjan studied at Yale and Georgetown University and holds a Master of Public Policy from the Hertie School in Berlin.

Carline Noailles
Co-founder and Managing Partner at JESCA Solutions, LLC

Panel B: NGO Development, Private Public Partnerships

Carline Noailles is the co-founder and managing partner of JESCA Solutions, LLC, a boutique firm specializing in international development. With over 20 years of experience, she is a sustainability and social impact expert, working across the USA, the Caribbean, and Africa. Noailles’ expertise in Urban and Regional Planning and Development enables her to lead cross-sector teams in implementing sustainable and inclusive socio-economic projects. She advises organizations on leveraging assets and strategies for sustainability, conducting feasibility studies, social and environmental assessments, and making the business case for sustainability. Noailles holds a BA in Socio-economic Geography, a master’s in Land and Environmental Resources Management from Université Paul Valéry—Montpellier, a PhD in Urban Studies from the University of New Orleans, and an MBA from Georgetown University.

Grace Niratcha Tungtisanont
Associate Clinical Professor at the Robert H. Smith School of Business

Panel B: Humanitarian Rights & Climate Justice

Niratcha "Grace" Tungtisanont is an associate clinical professor in the Department of Logistics, Business & Public Policy at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Her experience during the 2011 Thai floods inspired her research on humanitarian operations strategies for natural disasters, with a focus on flood recovery effectiveness. Tungtisanont’s work draws from macroeconomics and service strategy literature, examining the role of stakeholders in disaster relief services. She holds a Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics and a Bachelor of Art in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Arizona.

Cedric Nwafor
Co-founder and Executive Director at Roots Africa

Panel B: NGO Development, Private Public Partnerships

Cedric Nwafor is passionate about agriculture and empowering the next generation for Africa's future. As co-founder and executive director of Roots Africa, he connects US and global experts with African farmers to combat hunger and poverty. Nwafor has worked with youth across Africa and shared his message worldwide. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and developed programs there post-graduation. Nwafor serves on the board of CETAT and has received multiple awards, including UMD's 2022 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.

Garrett Zink
Director of Social Impact at Marriott International

Panel B: Humanitarian Rights & Climate Justice

Garrett Zink oversees many of Marriott International’s global, national, and local strategic nonprofit partnerships and programs, including refugee hiring and humanitarian relief. He also supports the management of the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy – leading ESG reporting, communications, and engagement. Prior to joining Marriott, Zink was a consultant in the Social Innovation group of WE Communications, where he supported the ESG strategies for some of the world’s largest consumer product companies, management consultancies, and financial institutions. His writing has been published in outlets such as The Baltimore Sun and Philanthropy News Digest. Zink is a graduate of the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, where he was a Social Innovation Fellow.